A late September scouting trip by just Scott was made to explore the North
Fork Catherine Creek region of the western Wallowas, Oregon. The North
Fork Catherine Creek, Middle Fork Catherine Creek, Meadow Mountain, China Ridge
and Squaw Creek trails were covered -- twenty-one miles and a cumulative 5400'
elevation gain over three days.

With the exception of the first part of the North Fork Catherine Creek trail
this area is designated wilderness. I can report that it is heavily
travelled in September. Deer hunting parties were numerous, with outfitter
horse/mule pack strings hauling the gear, and many private mounted parties
practicing recreational riding. These trains go around the numerous
deadfall obstacles that appear across the trail, creating a braided network of
roto-tilled trails in places. Leave-no-trace practices are not evident,
with heavy trail and camp area damage observed. Dogs were observed to be
running loose on the trail. Adding insult, this region is heavily grazed
by cattle. The many meadows throughout the forest are grazed to the ground
and cow pies are everywhere, including in the established campsites where tents
would be pitched. Despite the wilderness designation, one of the hunting
parties was observed to be using a chain saw to cut firewood.

While the Catherine Creek Meadow cabin is a great asset, the scenery good, the
hike challenging, this route does not feel like wilderness. With the heavy
human and stock traffic, plus overgrazing mowing down all the grass, it is
relatively devoid of wildlife aside from cows, though one coyote was observed.
Quite the disappointment in that regard.